Stock Structure of Rainbow Smelt in Western Lake Superior: Biochemical Genetics

Abstract Serum transferrin (TFN) and glucosephosphate isomerase from white muscle were examined in rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax from Lake Superior and from nine tributary streams along the lake's Minnesota shoreline. Significant differences in allelic frequencies at the TFN locus were observed among locations. These differences suggest either that there are at least three discrete populations along the Minnesota shoreline or that differential selection for TFN alleles occurs within the lake. Received August 30, 1983 Accepted August 24, 1984